How Gaming Benefits Nevada

Taxes

During fiscal year 2016, roughly $1.4 billion in taxes and fees were paid by Nevada hotel-casino operators. This included major contributions to Nevada's three largest sources of revenue: sales tax, property tax and gaming tax. Nevada hotel casinos account for nearly $1.4 billion, or approximately 42 percent of State General Fund revenues – more than any other industry.

*Note: Reflects collections within the Nevada General Fund and excludes taxes, fees and other charges that inure to the benefit of other state and local municipalities. [a] The modified business tax is a tax on gross payroll, less a deduction for employer-provided health care coverage. Because the hotel-casino industry provides such a significant share of these benefits to its employees, the industry’s share of modified business tax collections is lower than its share of employees. [b] Assumed to be zero due to a lack of available data. Sources: Economic Forum; LVCVA; Nevada Gaming Control Board, Quarterly Statistical Report; Nevada Department of Taxation; Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and Applied Analysis.

Large tax contributions by the tourism and gaming industry allow Nevada’s residents and businesses to enjoy among the lowest tax burdens in the nation.

2017 State Business Tax Climate Index

Source: Tax Foundation. Note: A rank of 1 is best, 50 is worst. The components of the Index are corporate tax, individual income tax, sales tax, unemployment insurance tax and property tax. The report shows tax systems as of July 1, 2016 (the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017).

Nevada's tax structure continues to be one of the least burdensome on the average citizen in the nation for the following reasons:

Residents pay very low per capita taxes. The comparative tax burden for a family of three with an income of $75,000 ranks Las Vegas 49th out of 51 selected metropolitan areas in the United States.

Property taxes in Nevada are far lower than most states, and tax abatements that favor residential homeowners have widened the gap between classes of taxpayers.

Tourists pay a significant portion of the sales tax. It is estimated that approximately 33 percent of the sales tax is paid by the gaming industry, its employees, and tourists, thereby reducing the tax burden of the average Nevada resident.

Unlike other states such as California, Nevada does not have a corporate or personal income tax. Because of the gaming industry in Nevada, many of the additional taxes imposed on individuals and businesses in other states are not imposed in Nevada. Some of these taxes include:

Personal income tax

Corporate income tax

Sales tax on food

A general admissions tax

Bank excise measured by income

Bank share tax

Special intangible tax

Franchise tax on income

Inventory tax

Source: Nevada Taxpayers Association.

It Doesn't Stop With Gaming Taxes...

Few Nevadans completely understand how significantly gaming contributes to state and local governments through sales taxes, property taxes and business activity taxes as well. The hospitality industry pays a significant share of property taxes. In Clark County, hotels and hotel-casinos account for just 2 percent of improved nonresidential acreage, but 42 percent of taxable nonresidential property value. Including residential uses, hotels and hotel-casinos account for 1 percent of improved acreage, but nearly 13 percent of all taxable value, excluding vacant land. Nearly all of the top 10 property taxpayers in Clark County are hotel-casino operators, with MGM Resorts International claiming the number one spot. Meanwhile, hotel-casino operators account for half of the top 10 property taxpayers in Washoe County, with Peppermill Casinos Inc. reporting the second-highest value.